Coron Sea Adventure - Calamianes Group of Islands, Northern Palawan

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Coron and how we got there

We're just starting summer holiday when the sad news spread out via text messages that Rico Yan died of “bangugot” at Dos Palmas. Hey, he's also in Palawan! Yep, we were also in Palawan but far from the epicenter of the latest showbiz tragedy. To be more specific, we were in Coron, a picturesque town in southern Busuanga Island, which also serves as a gateway to various island adventures in the Calamianes Group of islands in northern Palawan, composed of Busuanga, Coron, and Culion.

Eight of my co-members at Pilipinas Sierra were adventurous enough to join me in this crazy expedition to explore Coron. We knew no one and the only thing I'm banking on are the scraps of information I gathered on the Internet. So, to those people who patiently created web pages about Coron, thank you so much. We had a nice time and as you can see, I'm sharing my own version of Coron so that more people can get there and see more of beautiful Philippines that one would never believe are just within reach.

The first thing I noticed is the multitude of foreigners and backpackers traveling mostly alone and sometimes in groups or pairs. The place is in our own backyard and we're only going there for the first time! For seasoned divers all over the world, however, Coron is a regular part of their vocabulary, owing to the multitude of Japanese shipwrecks in its waters sunk by American forces in World War II.

Coron town is right beside the sea. There are cottages on stilts and we were lucky enough to be able to stay in one. To enjoy the place, one needs to sail away and go island-hopping.

Island-hopping and other Coron adventures

We explored the hidden lakes of Kayangan and Barracuda, which only recently was opened to the public by its reclusive Tagbanua natives. As our boat glided near the entrance to the lakes, the limestone cliff formations of Coron towered above us. I couldn't believe I'm now in the island of my dreams! I'm right here in paradise that I used to see in postcards and tourist guidebooks.

You can have your choice of shipwrecks to explore. Some are deep enough you need to be a diver to see them . For snorkelers like us, we went to two shipwrecks and for a brief moment, had an eerie feeling as we looked down on the coral-laden sunk ships. Multi-colored fishes were swimming in and out of the nooks and crannies of the shipwrecks.

One of the best lunches I've had was eating seafoods aboard a boat floating in the crystal-clear waters of Coron Bay, at one time, while our boat was docked near a strip of a white-sand beach; in another time, above a marine sanctuary. Our siesta consisted of snorkeling to check out the natural aquarium around us.

Going to Culion, a former leper colony in the American era, was a trip back in time. The church is magnificent and the view from the adjoining fort with a cannon is simply breathtaking. The curator at the museum was hospitable enough to cut his lunch and toured us around the museum. A brief visit to the sanitarium wrapped up our brief visit of Culion Island.

Of course, I couldn't forget the striking Coron sunsets. The sinking sun caresses the waters, from which a golden glow emanates. Its as warm as the hospitality of Coron folks who made us feel welcome in our brief stay.

Coron Centennial

On May 1 to 10, 2002, Coron is celebrating its centennial. Various activities are lined up such as kayak race, fun swim, island cruise (for only P50/pax!) and other interesting activities. Follow our footsteps and experience the sea adventure of a lifetime. For details, you may get in touch with Jim Gerald Pe (local: 0919-593-3575; international: +63-919-593-3575). Have a true island fun in the sun!!!

How to get to Coron

From Manila, you can go to Coron by air or by boat. By air, the following makes regular flights there: Asian Spirit, Pacific Airways, and Sea Air. By ferry boat, take WG & A Superferry. Don't even consider Sulpicio Lines if you don't want to ruin your holiday. It's well known to cancel its trips at the last minute without giving notice to its passengers. There are lesser known sea vessels that ply the route to Coron like Viva Shipping Lines and MV Asuncion.

Info on photos

I took all photos using Nikon N80 and 28-80mm G lens. Film: Mostly Fuji Superia Reala 100, except for the photo of Coron Island as viewed from Coron town, where I used Kodak Supra 100. Scanning was done at the lowest resolution possible for faster loading.

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